point of view

"The Lord Directs Our Path" Psalm 138:8, 139:16, 32:8, 143:8 I stand at the stoplight and the roads are diverging I can't look to the rear-view mirror except in thanks so much to learn yet but my hand is held by the One who carved out the path, the One of unfailing love. You know where we're going and You're excited in all Your Power, Majesty, Splendor, Holiness excited like a husband with a surprise. "Worship the Lord" Psalm 95:3-7, 99:5, 138:2-3 Everest's summit the Mariana Trench they belong to You on Your shelf, in Your livingroom like a potter at his wheel You shaped the Grand Canyon the deserts, the plateaus, all the rock formations of the earth You wove out the saves their ever-changing layers on Your loom and shook the fish, the algae, the whales all the sea creatures into the oceans like salt and pepper from their shakers and somehow, somehow in billions of voices You hear this rebellious sheep trapped,...

cloud to sun to cloud to sun the smell of sunscreen tanktops and dirt under my nails robin singing so loud I hear it from inside my car at a stoplight sudden downpours, thunderstorms even rubber boots counting down to the last day of school June's first buttercups it's coming.

sermon notes from I Kings 18:41-46 and on no cloud in the sky "the sound of rain" he says promise God's Word is surety don't doubt, child don't doubt I hear it really I do! God's sovereignty shouting at us Do we know  what God promises? Did Elijah think God promised rain AND Jezebel to stop persecuting him? Is that how I think too? God's name glorified AND a great husband? AND no loss of work? AND holy, affectionate kids? AND an always peaceful church? hmmmm... Elijah thinks persevering intercession is important. I wonder, would I keep praying after the fifth "there is nothing"? the crowd is gone he's gone back up the mountain. he seeks God after the blessing after the urgent sense of need no resting on laurels. Believing, he presses forward into the impossible he leaves his distractions head between his knees Elijah is no radio pastor trying to quickly churn out one million copies...

sprays of petals the whir and hum of feathered wings field-puddles and plowed furrows sun-warmed soil and baby leaves the way the daffodils are all opening in pairs suddenly yellow is my new favorite color I want rain I want roses I want redemption change. It is good, and it is promised. I think my soul will always be something of a bride  when it is Spring.

I haven't posted in quite a while! Most of my writing energies have been going into response papers and vignettes and case study analysis at the moment, which is great. This will not last forever though. In the meantime, here is something for when you need some stilling....

the Creator says "speak" and for a moment the breath catches my lungs, as it were, frozen afraid I'm afraid all that will come out will be a squeak how could dirty flesh and blood speak holy cry out fire and glory? paralyzed but there is a coal in the angel's hand blood red and praise cannot be restrained

Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted I will carry you. Be still and hear, you rebellious I love you. Though you stumble in the dark lugging your idols around Though you close your eyes and put your fingers in your ears when I am speaking to you Though you hide your pet addictions under the bed and protect your favorite sins like a toddler with candy listen to Me I still love you. I will carry you. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will bring you Home I will pursue you, hedge you in, and guide you always. And I will capture your heart. Who is safe from the power of the Love of a holy God?